I have not put her through the surgery because I can't afford it. $600-$1000. She is three years old. I am really conflicted as to whether I should do the spay and beg people for money or just make her comfortable and care for her until she passes. Please any advise is so appreciated. Also, any suggestions for making her feel better - she keeps scratching at that sore....

Many vets offer CareCredit, a low (or no) cost credit payment plan for veterinary expenses. If you haven't already done so, I'd look into that if it were me. If she's in otherwise good health, 3 is too young to just be thinking about palliative care in my opinion. She has over half her life ahead of her, that could be well and happy if you can get her treated.

Thank you Talishan - no we haven't treated for mites - I do have CareCredit and it is maxed out. I also have VPI (pet insurance) so I am waiting for the insurance to reimburse me from her ER visit and the vet visit. Thank you for the encouragement - I think a lot of people don't consider my piggies as "real" pets and they certainly don't understand that they are my babies - thank goodness for Lynx and the forum, I don't know what I would have done without you guys <3

Update on Niko - she is holding her own but she is struggling now. Her pain is much more visible. Not a lot of blood noticed but she has been squeaking out with pain when she has to poo and pee. Her weight is holding steady - not where I want her to be but she is eating well. She is drinking. We just moved to Niagara Falls NY and that was a bit of a stress but she is settled in. Some of her hair grew back but there is a patch on her back that is still bare... Do you think I should put some ice packs on her belly/sides where she is swelling out?
Also, I have started a fundraising site to try to get donations towards surgery. Is anyone interested in contributing or does anyone have a website they might be willing to post on?

A good exotics vet should be able to drain ovarian cysts to help her be more comfortable, at least for a little while. It can be done quickly, in the office, and without sedation. Our Elizabeth did, and while she let the entire office know about it, she was fine afterward.

It should not cost much and would buy some time.

Ice packs won't help. It's not that kind of swelling, and may make her too cold.

Without reading back, has she been x-rayed recently for bladder stones or sludge?

I misspoke - she has a calcified mass on her uterine horn - she is spotting, there is a distinct smell to her urine that reminds me of when I get my period...The vet told me the lining of the uterus is thickened significantly based on a sonogram she did. The mass is pressing on her bladder -- Her ovaries are of normal size and without cysts of any kind

I understand completely the position you're in. Please keep us posted.

Without reading back, is she on any kind of pain relief?

This is a totally off the wall idea, but could you get to Ithaca? Cornell has a superb vet school and teaching hospital. Her case sounds like it might be instructive to vet students. Maybe they'd be willing to work with you on the money??

If she's in pain that can't be relieved, and you can't afford the surgery, I'd make a big effort to see if there's a rescue somewhere that would take her and get her the surgery she needs. If that didn't work, then I'd have her euthanized.

Ask their advice. If they're not in a position to help her, they should at least know of a good, cavy-knowledgeable vet that will be able to help her over gently, respectfully and with a minimum of fear.

Surgery is this Tuesday - we got some assistance from the Pet Emergency Fund recommended by Small Pets Big Hearts. I am going to give them every penny I have and my left leg if necessary to get Niko the care she needs!

Niko is home from a long day at the vet - she was out of surgery by 11:30 and did well. They took out a nasty looking uterus and a uterine horn that had a cotton ball sized mass that was black. She has all her stitches inside and just glue over the incision which is about 3 inches long. She had critical care at the vet and she hasn't moved since I brought her home about an hour ago - we had a 45 minute car ride. We'll see how she does over the next few hours, just letting her rest for now, then going to handfeed.